One thing that we always repeat our clients is: every job interview is a two-sided conversation. However, with the job market becoming more and more competitive, it is easy to forget about it; and some employers may become too confident & all powerful, which may lead them to try to take an advantage of their position.
There are some questions that no recruiter should be able to get away with. Depending on the country, some of them, like for example:
- do you have children?
- are you planning to get pregnant?
- who did you vote for?
…are simply illegal.
However, this will not stop smart and politically correct recruiters from getting the information they want from you anyway.
How will they do that?
| Instead of asking: | They will ask: |
|---|---|
| Who did you vote for? | This job involves working with people with different political views. How do you feel about that? |
| What is your family situation? Do you have kids? | This job may involve frequent travels abroad. Is there anything that would prevent you from traveling that often? |
| How much longer do you plan to work before you retire? or If you get pregnant, will you continue to work, and will you come back after maternity leave? |
What are your long-term career goals? |
| Are you married? | Have you worked or earned a degree under another name? |
You will find more examples and practical advice here:
30 Interview Questions You Can’t Ask and 30 Legal Alternatives
6 illegal interview questions not to ask — and legal alternatives
For our Polish speaking readers:
Jak pytać o rzeczy zabronione?
We’ll soon discuss how to answer tricky interview questions. So, stay tuned!
If you would like to discuss any specific interview questions in detail, contact us & request a free career consultation with one of our Career Angels.
